A Methodical Summary, Sir Matthew Hale classifies Burglary and Arson as offences against the dwelling or habitation. He also described the night as the time when the countenance of a man could not be discerned. He distinguished this from housebreaking because the night aggravated the offence since the night time was when man was at rest. Sir Edward Coke, in chapter 14 of the third part of the Institutes of the Lawes of England, describes the felony of Burglary and explains the various elements of the offence. 21 ) and the Jewish Bible (Exodus 22:2 ).
History Īncient references to breaking into a house can be found in the Code of Hammurabi (no. The British verb "burgle" is a late back-formation.
(Perhaps paraphrasing Sir Edward Coke:) "The word burglar comes from the two German words burg, meaning "house", and laron, meaning "thief" (literally "house thief")." Īnother suggested etymology is from the later Latin word burgare, "to break open" or "to commit burglary", from burgus, meaning "fortress" or "castle", with the word then passing through French and Middle English, with influence from the Latin latro, "thief". A note indicates he relies on the Brooke's case for this definition.Īccording to one textbook, the etymology originates from Anglo-Saxon or Old English, one of the Germanic languages.
1644), that the word Burglar (" or the person that committeth burglary"), is derived from the words burgh and laron, meaning house-thieves. Sir Edward Coke (1552–1634) explains at the start of Chapter 14 in the third part of Institutes of the Lawes of England (pub. Illegal consumption (such as prohibition of drugs, alcohol, and smoking).Crime of entering someone's property, often with the intent to steal from them or commit another offence Criminal law